Water Test:
The DWV plumbing system is plugged leaving the top vent open. Water is
then introduced to the system, purging any trapped air that may occur.
The test passes if no water column is lost or no pressure drop is noted
on a gauge.
Air
Test:
The DWV plumbing system is plugged at all openings including traps and
vents, leaving one opening as a point to both introduce and monitor the
test pressure. Air is introduced, pressurizing the system (normally 5
PSI or less), making sure all are outside the danger zone. (See safety
and usage instructions.) The test passes if the measurable loss of
pressure is within the time and pressure allowances of the test
specifications.
Manometer (or U-Tube):
Also known as a final test, the manometer test verifies trap tightness
in a new plumbing system. All traps are filled with water and all vents
are then plugged. The manometer tube is first filled with water so that
it “zeroes" out. Then the lower tube of the manometer is placed through
a trap. A second hose is then put through the same trap and a small
amount of pressure is applied. A decrease in water column measured on
the manometer scale indicates that there is a leak in the system.
Scent
Test:
The DWV system is plugged at all openings except one. Liquid scent is
applied in that opening, which is then plugged. Leaks are detected via
smell.
|
Calculating
Head Pressure/Feet of Head
1) Measure the distance of the pipe and multiply it by the slope of the
grade.
2) Measure the distance of the pipe above the plug. (used when pipe is
vertical)
In
the example above, the answer is 600 x .01 = 6 feet of head.
 |
|
Measures Conversion Chart |
|
Uni |
= |
Conversion Factor |
x |
Unit |
|
Pounds per square inch |
= |
14.5 |
x |
Bars |
|
Gallons |
= |
7.48052 |
x |
Cubic feet |
|
Meters |
= |
.3048 |
x |
Feet |
|
Inches of mercury |
= |
.8825 |
x |
Feet of water |
|
Pounds per square inch |
= |
.4335 |
x |
Feet of water |
|
Millimeters |
= |
25.4 |
x |
Inches |
|
Feet of water |
= |
1.133 |
x |
Inches of mercury |
|
Pounds per square inc |
= |
.4912 |
x |
Inches of mercury |
|
Pounds
|
=
|
2.2046
|
x
|
Kilograms
|
|
Feet |
= |
3.281 |
x |
Meters |
|
Inches |
= |
.03937 |
x |
Millimeters |
|
Fee of water |
= |
2.307 |
x |
Pounds per square inch (PSI |
|
Inches of mercury |
= |
2.036 |
x |
Pounds per square inch (PSI) |
Always block plugs when
conducting air tests. |
|
Pressure Conversion Chart |
|
PSI |
Feet of Head |
PSI |
Feet of Head |
|
1 |
2.31 |
14 |
32.33 |
|
2 |
4.62 |
15 |
34.64 |
|
3 |
6.93 |
16 |
36.94 |
|
4 |
9.24 |
17 |
39.25 |
|
5 |
11.55 |
18 |
41.56 |
|
6 |
13.85 |
19 |
43.87 |
|
7 |
16.16 |
20 |
46.18 |
|
8 |
18.47 |
25 |
57.73 |
|
9 |
20.78 |
30 |
69.27 |
|
10 |
23.09 |
35 |
80.82 |
|
11 |
25.40 |
40 |
92.36 |
|
12 |
27.71 |
45 |
103.91 |
|
13 |
30.02 |
50 |
115.45 |
|